Office accessory



Aug. 5, 1930. w. I. CUBBERLEY OFFICE ACCESSORY Filed Aug. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

9 w. I. CUBB ER LEY 1,772,438

' OFFICE ACCESSORY I Fil ed Aug 1, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

proceeds, the scope of the invention to be determined by the claims appended hereunto.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective viewbf one end of the type of cart shown-inFigure 1 and showsthe manner'of mounting the rod to hold my devices thereon, and the formation of the side runners or supports,

Figure 4' is a detail perspective view "of the top of a leg and illustratedhowitis attached to the top, I

Figure 5 is a section showing the cor rugated horizontal portion of an element and its relation to the upstanding side portion of a mobile cart or tray, 1

Figure 6 is a perspective view, broken away and in detail of the retaining rod and portion, 7

Figure 9 ma its methodof attachment to the mobile cart or tray, Y

Figure 7 is a modified form of my cart as shown in Figure 1, and in which the horizontal portions of the top, or the runners extend almostto the rod so that the top of the cart. forms a supporting base beneath my elements assembled thereon, I

Figure'S-is an enlarged, detail, perspective view of one of my elements per se with the top or vertical portion reduced in height compared to the length of the horizontal side 'view,partly in section,

. showingmy device mounted, relatively inrectangular section ofsheet metal, orthe like,

terengaging, and carried on a mobile car-t or'tray formed of piping or tubing,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the blank from which my device is formed, and

Figure 11 is a modification showing how certain'forms of my devices may not only be interengaged, but may be interlocked. I In the drawings whereinlike' characters of referenceare used to designate like or similar parts throughout the several views My invention comprises a substantially bent-between its ends toform a vertical portion ('1)' and a horizontal portion (2) the horizontal portions is slotted or formed with :a gap (4) between the parts (3) and :(5), and a tab (6) isstruck down and formed withan opening therein (7); both portions or parts" (3)and (5) are crimped, corrugated, or otherwise formed withiprotrusions or the like 8).

' Conventional file cabinets, and the like, are formed with rods in their bottoms on which the spacer and alphabetical elements are carried; The gap (4) is designed to exposelthe rod with the parts (3) and (5) extending to either side of the rod with the files, spacers and the like engaging in the corrugations (8) after the manner described in my copending application Serial #364,524; the vertical portions (1) of my devices supportingthe files in vertical position, and the hori- Zontal portions and corrugations preventing slipping or slumping down. My present de vices are formed with the tabs (6) which also engage these rods through the openings (7) the rod extending'through the opening.

In order that my device may be utilized in transporting books, tools, plans, files, pamphlets, and the like from place to place, to

be usedwhen and where desired; I have provided'a mobile support. or tray or cart, which is provided with a supporting structure A and a top C the top has ends having upstanding parts 12 carrying the rod B on which my devices are threaded as shown in'Figures 1 and 9. The supporting part Amay have reinforcing bars G, and the rollers or casters D. Folders E, or books F, or any other objeets are carried in the compartments formed by the vertical portions (1) on my devices; the horizontal portions of which overlapas shown in'Figures l and 9and prevents slipping or slumping down by means of the corrugations or ribs (8).

r In the form of my cart or tray shown in Figure 1 I provide legs (9) formed of angle iron and L-shaped orangle iron side stringers- (10) which have horizontal parts (10) forming-tracks for my devices, and vertical parts (10") forming side guards and preventing my devices from becoming out of line. The end bars (11) have upstanding cars (12) the end bars being formed of ordinary strap iron; each formed with an opening (13) through which the rod B is trained lengthwise of the cart, with its end screwthreaded and engaged in a fitting (14) internally threaded at (1 1) carried on the other end bar (13) there is a thumb nut or the'like B on the rod to screw itinto place. In practice my devices are placed on the cart with the horizontal portions partially overlapping and interengaging and carried in the side rails orstringers (10) in'this position the tabs (6) extend down between the parts (10 of the side stringers with the openings (7) in line'with the rod B; the rod is then threaded through the openings'and screwed intoplace. My devices may be moved back and forth on the rod B, it being merely necessary to slightly life up the COlllW'iltGfl horizontal portions, or slightly press the vertical portions in the direction of movement, to disengage thecorrugations and move the device or devices to the new position or positions. In attaching the legs to the ends (11.) and side stringers (10) one end of each leg is extended and bent over as at (9) and the device is assembled by first placing the end bars (13) and (11); then placing the side stringers and inserting the bolts" or rivets or other securing means in. place to hold all the parts together. In the form shown in Figure 7 "the, parts (10**) are extended towardfeach othermade of considerable widthto form a. floor If desired.

either or both of the side parts (10") maybe extended in height either toform a backing for each compartment, or to form relatively high sides for a compartment between any two of the vertical portions. As shown in Figure 1 and in' Figure 5'theside parts (10") are merely the" height of the corrugations. In Figure 9 my tray or cart is shown as'made up of piping or tubing, there being the usual castors D carriedon the legs 9 and fittings carrying the topC which may be of wood or metal. 7 In practice my devices may be so placed on the tray or in a file cabinet drawer that they partially overlap and interengage to form compartments in whichfiles E, books- F, or the like are carried, or if desired one or more, or all, may be placedso that they do not interengage; seethe position of the device or elementf at the left-hand side of Figure 9. 1

In Figure 11 I have shown a modification V in which the tab 6) is omitted; a pair of devices are assembled by placing-thehorizontal portions (2) at right anglesto each other with the gaps in line; bringing them together so that theelements have an overand-under relationship; then turning them so that horizontal parts (3) and (5) of one element respectively overlie and underlie parts (3) and (5) of the other element;- view 1 shows their'position to interlock them, and view 2 shows them locked together, in which position they may form book ends or the like.

' Figure 10 illustrates the blank from which my devices are formed; the entire operation being performed by a single operation of a cutting and crimping die.

It is believed that the operation of my device is, apparent from the foregoing, but attention is'again called to its simplicity;- its cheapness to manufacture; its practicability for the purposes accredited to it, and the fact that it is capable of a number of uses in and about an oifice, a shop, a library, in the home, and the like. Interpretation of the in-' vention, however, should only be conclusive when made ine the light of the subjoined claims.

I claim; 3 l. A support a body bentto provide a substantially vertical portion, and a horizontal portion, the

horizontal portion provided with corrugations, a gap extending longitudinally of the horizontal portion, andzan extension below and in linewith the gap. 2. Interengaging members for supporting vertical files and the like, said members having partially overlapping horizontal porfor vertical files comprising tions and relatively spaced apart substantially vertical portions, thehorizontalpon t ons, being formed with corrugations which positively engagethe bottom edges of objects-placed thereon to prevent slipping,cer-

tain of the corrugations ofieach of the hori zontal portionsinterengaging to holdlthe de-v vices in certain positions relative to each other, and an extension on each of saidmemhere below the horizontal portions;

- :3; A device of the character'described come prising a sheet metalbody bent betwe'enitsends to form a substantially vertical portion andraihorizontal portion, the horizontal por tion being provided with spaced elevated sion below the horizontal portion and in line with-the gap and engaged by the rod to support: said members on o a ba'se'in cooperating I'GltttlOIlShlPi. r a

5: 'The combination with a base having a I rod thereom of a plurality of similarly formed members each having a substantiallyxvertical portion and a horizontal portion, saidphorizo'ntal portions being corrugated and each having a gap extending-lengthwise thereof- :over .the rod, said members adapted to be placed on the support with thehoriz'ont'al portionspartiallyoverlapping and the corrugations interengaging, and each, member having an extension below the horizontaliportion and in line withthegapforslidable-,Lengagement by the ro'dto hold said n lilembers on the basein cooperating relation= 6'. FA"mobilewsiipportingldevice for books,

files and-the like comprising-legsand atop,

the top having? a rod extendingllengthwise thereof, and side members constituting sup:

i on

portsya plurality of similarly formed members carried by the top and veach having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the

horizontal portions relatively interlocking and-being seated on the side members, =-and each member having anrextension below :the

horizontal portion slida'bly engaged byfthe rod to'support the memberson thetop in relatively adjustable and cooperating r'ela-f tions'hip.-y A 1 "Fl-A mobile "supporting device for books, file's and the like comprising a wheeled base having a top formed withside stringers each having a horizontal and a vertical portion;

plurality of cooperating and similarly formed members on the top each having a a horizontal portion carried on the side stringersand a substantially vertical portionrisv 4 Y I 1,778,488 r ing above the top, a rod carried by the to p p and extending lengthwise thereof below sai members, an'deach of said members having an extension below its horizontal portion slidably engaging the rod to vhold the members in place adjustably and in overlapping cooperating relationship withtheir horizon-V tal portionsinterlocking to form a unitary continuous base. I

1 l 8. A mobile supporting device comprising a wheeled base having a top and a detachable rod carried by the top and extending lengthwise thereof, a plura ity of similarly formed" members carried on the top and each having a. corrugated horizontal portion anda sub stantially vertical portion; the horizontal portions partially overlapping-with the corrugations interengaging, and each horizontal portion having a gapexten'ding lengthwise thereof from end to end, andan extension on each member below the horizontal I portion'and in line with the gap and slidably engaging the rod to hold the members on the top in cooperating adjustable relationship r, for the purpose defined. Y 9. A mobile supporting device having a skeleton frame forming a wheeled baseand a top having an opening between its sides and extending longitudinally thereof, a rod in :m the opening, and means slidable on the rod and having upstanding portions and positively interlocking horizontal foot portions for forming compartments the size ofwhich may be independently adjusted by sliding said means on the'rod toward and away from each other.- 7

'10. An QlfiCQ accessory for use with file supports of the t pe having a center rod for retaining the tab edportions offile dividers 40 and supports, a plurality of members each having a relatively horizontal portion formed with a center gap, and the horizontal portions arranged to either side and above the center rod and means fixing. said hori- 'zontal portionsin a permanent operative as geimbly to form a continuous base beneath the es. I

11. An ofiice accessory for use with file retaining devices of the type having a center rod for receiving thereon the tabbed portions of file dividers and supports, a plurality of members arranged in a normal substantially .7 vertical operative position, horizontal portions connected with the vertical members and'arranged to either side and above the center rod and provided with a gap above the center rod, and positively connected together to provide a unitary and continuous I slotted base beneath the files. 7 1. g V In testimonywhereof, I allix my signature 7 hereunto.

' WARNER I. CUBBERLEY. f 

